SUPPORTERS in Andy Murray's home town declared him "Dunblane's hero" today after he claimed his first Grand Slam title.

Murray beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match to take the US Open tennis championship.

At the Dunblane Hotel in Murray's home town, near Stirling, posters of the 25-year-old were hung on the walls and champagne was on ice ready for his victory.

A crowd of around 80 fans packed into the bar to watch the nail-biting five-hour game into the small hours of this morning, before erupting into a mass celebration and chanting "There's only one Andy Murray".

Gavin Noland, 63, said: "Andy is Dunblane's hero, not just Dunblane, the whole of Scotland and the rest of Britain.

"He was magnificent. I've been following him from the very beginning.

"I think he's coming into his game, just since winning the Olympics he's taken off like a meteorite."

Dave Whitton, 62, said: "I'm just so happy for Andy - no tears this time, just complete joy and happiness, which is not only just for him but for the people of Dunblane and the whole of Scotland."

Mr Whitton added: "It's a town where, as you'll probably know, things have happened. But this brings a moment of joy and happiness instead of other things that have happened.

"We share in his happiness today emotionally.

"Like a true Scotsman we always live in hope whether it's football or tennis. I've followed all his games as has my daughter who lives in London, we've been texting each other all night and I'm sure she'll have a tear in her eye."

The supporters were with Murray all the way, celebrating and commiserating every point won and lost.

The bar kept its doors open late to allow the patrons to see the end of the game, and dished out popcorn and hot dogs.

Graham Neeson, 53, from Glasgow, was visiting a friend in Perth and started watching the game there before leaving to get the last train home.

However, he hopped off at Dunblane, to make sure he could see "history in the making".

"I wouldn't have got home in time to watch the whole thing so I thought, where better to jump off than the epicentre of Murrayland - Dunblane," he said.

"I'll need to stay overnight at the hotel now and get the morning train, but it's been worth it. I couldn't miss history in the making.

"I had him down as favourite to win before the final even started. I'm really over the moon for him and there's such a good atmosphere about the town."

Holly McCormack, 26, travelled from Paisley to share in the atmosphere.

Draped in a Scotland flag, she said: "I'm absolutely delighted for Andy.

"I've been following him since he was the junior champion of the US Open and I've believed for a long time that he would become a grand slam champion.